FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS



HOW DO I ENTER THE SUTTER HOME BUILD A BETTER BURGER® RECIPE CONTEST?

Step 1:
Proceed to the Sutter Home Build A Better Burger Website (www.buildabetterburger.com) and click on the “Enter The Contest” link.

Step 2:
Scroll down to “How To Enter” and fill out the required fields.

Step 3:
Complete the requested registration information.   You may also choose to include an optional video entry shared on public-facing social media accounts, a Cooking Tip and/or click the “Find File” button to select a picture to upload.   Once you have selected your picture and completed the requested registration information, click “Submit.”   Please note that uploading a photograph is strongly encouraged, but not required.   A photo is not part of the judging criteria or process.

Step 4:
Receive an entry confirmation email.   (Until you receive this entry confirmation email, your submission is undergoing review to ensure it complies with the Official Rules, and is not yet considered a valid entry into the contest).

WHAT INFORMATION DO I NEED TO REGISTER FOR THE SUTTER HOME BUILD A BETTER BURGER® RECIPE CONTEST?

Scroll down to “How To Enter” and fill out the required fields including:

Burger Name
Burger Introduction
Video Entry Link (Optional)
Patty Type
Bun Type
Burger Ingredients
Burger Recipe
Recipe Yield
Cooking Tip (Optional)
Upload Picture File (Optional)
Wine Pairing
Entrant Name
City
State
Zip Code
Email Address
Telephone Number
Birthday
How You Heard About The Contest

HOW DO I SUBMIT A VIDEO ENTRY FOR THE CONTEST?

To enter, upload your optional entry video to your preferred social media platform (such as YouTube, Instagram or TikTok) and share the publicly accessible link in your entry form.   It is encouraged to use the hashtag #SutterHomeBurger so your video submission can be found easily.

IS A VIDEO ENTRY REQUIRED?

No, a video entry is not required.   Video entries are encouraged as they allow entrants to showcase their creativity, personality and cooking skills in a more dynamic way.

HOW LONG SHOULD MY VIDEO ENTRY BE?

Video entries should be between 30 to 90 seconds.

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY RECIPE WAS ACCEPTED?

Once you click the “Submit" button, you should see a "Thank You" page on your internet browser.   This page confirms that your recipe has been received and submitted into a review process to ensure that it complies with the Official Rules.   Please note that while your recipe is undergoing review, it is not yet considered a valid entry into the contest.

Once your recipe is reviewed, you will receive a confirmation email at the email address you supplied on the registration form.   If your recipe complies with the Official Rules, this confirmation email will state that your submission has been accepted as an approved entry into the contest.   If your recipe is not accepted as an approved entry, the email will detail the reasons why your recipe was declined.

IF A RECIPE WAS DECLINED, CAN I FIX IT AND RESUBMIT IT?

Yes. If received a rejection email for your recipe, don't worry, you can still fix the issues and resubmit it.   Once you've made the necessary changes, your recipe will go through the approval process again.   If it meets the requirements and gets approved, you'll receive a confirmation email confirming that your recipe has been accepted.

CAN I MODIFY MY RECIPE ONCE IT'S APPROVED?

Yes, but you will need to resubmit and it will be counted as a separate entry if approved.

CAN I SUBMIT MORE THAN ONE RECIPE?

You can submit as many as you want within the Contest Entry Period.

CAN I MAIL IN MY ENTRY?

Yes.   To enter by mail, hand print your contact information, the name of your Burger and text for your Recipe on a plain piece of paper to: "Sutter Home Build A Better Burger® Recipe Contest”, c/o One Line Sports Agency, P.O. Box 610505, Bayside, NY 11361-0505.   Group and mechanically reproduced entries, including photocopies, are not eligible.

WHAT'S THE DEADLINE FOR REGISTERING?

Your recipe must be uploaded and registered online by 11:59:59PM ET on July 23, 2023.   Mail-in entries must be postmarked by July 23, 2023.

HOW OLD DO I HAVE TO BE TO SUBMIT A RECIPE?

At least 21 years old.

WHAT IS COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT?

Using elements or recipes that somebody else created and/or owns, and that you do not have permission to use.

WHAT IS TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT?

If you use a company's name, logo or brand likeness without their permission.

WHAT ARE THE SPECIFICATIONS OR RULES FOR EACH RECIPE?

Submission may not refer to any company/brand or food or beverage brands other than Sutter Home.

All burgers must be composed of grilled patties formed from ground beef or ground alternative foods (i.e. plant-based meats, chicken, fish, lamb, turkey, seafood, pork, other) prepared on a gas or charcoal grill, served on buns, other bread products, or alternative wrappings such as lettuce.

Each recipe must include readily available ingredients and use standard, unabbreviated U.S. measurements, (i.e., cups, tablespoons, teaspoons, ounces, or pounds), specific amounts for each ingredient (i.e., number of lettuce leaves, exact teaspoons of salt and pepper; do not say “to taste” for any ingredient, but list exact amount so reviewers can judge how the burger will taste).   All ingredients used must be listed and no garnishes should accompany the burger.

Each recipe must be written to make six (6) regular-sized burgers or twelve (12) or eighteen (18) small burgers or "sliders."

All recipes must be able to be prepared completely in sixty (60) minutes or less.

CAN MY RECIPE BE IN A LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH?

No.   It must be in English.

CAN A GROUP SUBMIT A RECIPE AS A JOINT PIECE OF WORK?

Yes.   If a group wants to submit a recipe together, they must choose one person to act as the representative and submit the recipe on behalf of the group.   The representative should ensure that the recipe complies with the rules and regulations and, if the recipe wins a prize, they will accept it on behalf of the group.

IF I SUBMITTED A BURGER RECIPE TO THE CONTEST IN PREVIOUS YEARS, CAN I SUBMIT IT AGAIN?

Yes.   If you were not selected as a Finalist or Grand-Prize Winner, you may update and resubmit a recipe.   If the recipe has been published elsewhere, however, it is ineligible for submission.

ARE PAST FINALISTS OR GRAND-PRIZE WINNERS OF THE SUTTER HOME BUILD A BETTER BURGER® RECIPE CONTEST ELIGIBLE TO PARTCIPATE?

No, previous finalists and/or Grand-Prize Winners are not eligible to participate again.

HOW WILL MY RECIPE BE JUDGED?

Regional Semi-Finalists will be chosen by a panel of judges based on the recipe's Perceived Taste Appeal (40%), Creativity (25%), Ease of Preparation (25%) and Perceived Wine Paring (10%).

National Finalists will be chosen by a panel of judges at a series of Regional Semi-Final Cook-Offs based on the recipe’s Taste (40%), Creativity (25%), Ease of Preparation (25%) and Wine Pairing (10%).

The Grand-Prize Winner will be chosen by a panel of judges at a National Final Cook-Off based on the recipe’s Taste (40%), Creativity (25%), Ease of Preparation (25%) and Wine Pairing (10%).

HOW AND WHEN WILL I BE CONTACTED IF I AM SELECTED AS A FINALIST?

REGIONAL SEMI-FINALIST NOTIFICATION
All Regional Semi-Finalists will be notified by telephone, email or registered mail starting on or about August 4, 2023.

NATIONAL FINALIST NOTIFICATION
National Finalists will be notified at their respective Regional Semi-Finalist Cook-Offs according to the following schedule.

Philadelphia, PA on August 11, 2023
Atlanta, GA on August 16, 2023
Houston, TX on August 21, 2023
Chicago, IL on September 7, 2023
Seattle, WA on September 15, 2023

GRAND PRIZE WINNER NOTIFICATION
Grand-Prize Winner will be notified at the National Final Cook-Off at Sutter Home Winery in St. Helena, CA to be held on October 6, 2023.

WHAT ARE THE DATES AND LOCATIONS OF ALL COOK-OFF EVENTS?

REGIONAL SEMI-FINALIST COOK-OFFS
Lot Near Citizens Bank Park (Philadelphia, PA) on August 11, 202
Lot Near Truist Park (Atlanta, GA) on August 16, 2023
Lot Near Minute Maid Park (Houston, TX) on August 21, 2023
Lot Near Wrigley Field (Chicago, IL) on September 7, 2023
Lot Near T-Mobile Park (Seattle, WA) on September 15, 2023

NATIONAL FINAL COOK-OFF
Sutter Home Winery (St. Helena, CA) on October 6, 2023.

CAN I COMPETE IN A DIFFERENT REGIONAL SEMI-FINALIST COOK-OFF THAN THE ONE TO WHICH I AM ASSIGNED?

No, you must compete at your assigned Regional Semi-Finalist Cook-Off.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM A FINALIST, BUT CANNOT ATTEND THE NATIONAL FINALIST COOK-OFF?

Should a Finalist be unable to attend, the Finalist will be disqualified from the competition.   The Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to select an alternate Semi-Finalist to participate in the National Final Cook-Off.

WHAT ARE THE WINNING PRIZES?

Twenty (20) Semi-Finalist Prizes:
Each Semi-Finalist will receive two (2) professional baseball game tickets in a Regional Semi-Finalist Cook-Off city in accordance with the dates listed in the Regional Semi-Finalist Cook-Off schedule and one (1) $200 pre-paid debit card for required burger ingredients. 

If Semi-Finalist lives within 300 miles from the Regional Semi-Finalist Cook-Off city, Semi-Finalist will be required to provide their own ground transportation to and from the event and will receive one (1) $200 pre-paid debit card for fuel, toll expenses and/or any other transportation costs.  

If Semi-Finalist lives more than 300 miles from the Regional Semi-Finalist Cook-Off city, Semi-Finalist will receive economy-class airfare for two (2) between Semi-Finalist's home and Cook-Off city and two (2) nights hotel accommodations (1 room, double occupancy).

Five (5) National Finalist Prizes:
Each National Finalist will receive (2) nights double occupancy hotel accommodations in St. Helena, CA, economy-class airfare for two (2) between Finalist’s home and a Bay Area Airport (SMF, SFO or OAK), entry for two (2) to a welcome reception and dinner, breakfast for two (2) daily, reimbursement of rental car for duration of two night stay in St. Helena, CA, ground transportation for two (2) to and from all sponsored activities as needed and (1) $650 pre-paid debit card to be used for additional meals or at the discretion of the Finalist. 

One (1) Grand-Prize Winner:
The Grand-Prize Winner will receive $25,000 cash.   Prize will be awarded as a check payable to the winner.   The check will be issued three (3) to four (4) weeks after the National Finalist Cook-Off date. 

WILL I BE REQUIRED TO BRING MY OWN EQUIPMENT AND INGREDIENTS TO THE COOK-OFFS?

Each Semi-Finalist will have access to his/her own 6-foot table/prep station (list of cooking station supplies below) and Weber Gas Grill.   The grill will have 3 stainless steel burners, 450 square inches of total cooking area and 26,500 BTU-per-hour input on the main burners.   Additionally, they will be provided with the recommended varietal of Sutter Home Wine for pairing and a $200 pre-paid debit card for required burger ingredients and equipment.   Any necessary equipment that is not listed below is the responsibility of the Semi-Finalist to provide.

Semi-Finals Cooking Station Supplies
1 Set Nesting Mixing Bowls
1 Mixing Spoon
1 Set Measuring Cups
1 Set Measuring Spoons
1 Cutting Board
1 Grill Set (knife included)
1 Apron
5 Serving Plates (used for presenting to judges)
Manual Food Processor
Paper Towels
Plastic Gloves

Sutter Home will provide all ingredients for the five National Finalists’ burger recipes for Finalist Cook-off Event in St. Helena, CA on October 6, 2023.   Finalists are not allowed to bring their own ingredients from home to the Finalist event.

HOW MANY BURGERS WILL FINALISTS BE REQUIRED TO MAKE AT COOK-OFFS?

Six (6) burgers or twelve (12) sliders must be prepared within the sixty (60) minute time frame.   Finalists are then encouraged to make additional burgers or sliders for spectators.   Spectator tasting is not part of the judging criteria or process.

ARE THE COOK-OFFS TIMED?

Yes, Regional and National Finalists have sixty (60) minutes to prepare, cook, and plate their burgers.